Palazzo dei Notai, building in Bologna, Italy
Palazzo dei Notai is a brick building in Piazza Maggiore situated between the Basilica di San Petronio and Palazzo d'Accursio, with a rectangular plan and crenellated top. Inside, 15th-century frescoes cover parts of the walls, illustrating the tastes and concerns of the notary profession.
The building was founded in 1381 as the headquarters of the notaries' guild, marking the profession's growing influence in the city. A major renovation in 1437 reshaped much of the structure that visitors see today.
The palace reflects the high standing that notaries held in medieval Bologna, a profession essential to the city's legal and commercial operations. The building's design and decoration still convey the respect and power these professionals commanded.
The building is part of the Piazza Maggiore ensemble and can be viewed from outside and in the courtyard freely. Interior access to the rooms with frescoes may require a guided tour or special arrangements depending on the current opening conditions.
Three different architects shaped this building over time, each adding their own design approach to the structure. This evolution across decades makes it a rare record of how architectural tastes changed in medieval Bologna.
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